The New York University men's basketball defeated Hunter College 75-68 on Wednesday, December 11, at the Sportsplex in Manhattan. 

The Violets, who last played on December 4 in an 74-70 win over the College of Mount Saint Vincent, improved their record to 6-3 while the Hawks fell to 1-8.

NYU never trailed in the contest, running out to a quick 16-4 lead. NYU's advantage grew to as many as 20 points, 32-12, on Riley Demps (New Orleans, LA/Isidore Newman) three-pointer with 7:17 remaining in the first half.

Hunter then went on a 10-4 run to pull within 14, 36-22. Then with only 15 seconds left, the Hawks got to within nine, 36-27, to end the first half.  

NYU shot 55.6% (15-of-27) from the field over the first 20 minutes as both Bobby Hawkinson (Frankfort, IL/Marist) (10) and Ethan Feldman (New York, NY/The Salisbury School) (10) scored in double digits. 

NYU was able to increase its lead back up to 13 points, 46-33, after Hawkinson made a pair of free throws with 16:29 left in the game. But the Hawks refused to go away as they pulled within seven, 70-63, with 1:27 left on the clock. 

The Hawks were able to pull with in three, 71-68, but Sommerville and Hawkinson both hit a pair of free throws in the final minute to help clinch NYU's fifth-straight victory.    

"I thought we played an inconsistent game," said Head Coach Dagan Nelson. "I was disappointed that we had 20 turnovers against a team that didn't press us."

Feldman led the way for NYU, posting 20 points (4-for-6 behind the arc) adding three rebounds and three steals. 

Hawkinson finished with a season-high 18 points shooting 7-of-8 (85.7%) from the field and 4-for-4 at the foul line.  

"Bobby gave us great minutes on the floor tonight," added Nelson. "Ethan also made some very important three's in key stretches of the game as well."

The Violets will return to the court for one final time in 2019 when they host Western Connecticut State University on Sunday, December 29, at the Sportsplex.